What Car to Build??

[freekwonder]

Miata, E30 (325i), MR2 - in that order.

[early 70's] 510's are sweet, but good luck finding one that is either inexpensive or in workable shape, especialy a two door.

The drifters are driving the price of 240's and RWD corollas through the roof.

Maybe even an old Foxbody mustang or Merkur XR4Ti? They're cheap and power can be had very inexpensively.

Whats your definition of workable shape and inexpensive. for 5,000 I can find a 95% rust free, daily drivable 510. Its a four door, but I got my first dime for $1000, it had minimum rust and a one dent, and I drove it on the freeway at 80mph everday with no problems. you could do the same with a 2 door for maybe 1 or 2 thousand more.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

86-92 FC RX7...leave the 13b...v8s are sacrelidge!!! lol

 

[MiaTurbo]

FB, or NA6 plenty of aftermarket stuff, and they are both Mazduhs, since this is a Mazduh forum

 

[B1GHAM]

hmmm Miata sounds EXACTLY what youre looking for.

I would love to do an E30 M3 myself..... but you wont find one for like 3k.

Im tearing down my MSP and building that up (I know its not that old, but its fun for me). Im then rebuilding either a 94 or 95 3000GT VR4 (not around 3k, well maybe depending Ill have to go look) for my dad.... Then comes my large project which consists of rebuilding/restoring a BMW 850CSi (If I can ever friggin find one!!) but thats going to be a challenge, or a mid 90s Supra, but I dont know if I want a tuning ***** (yeah 850 whp is ALWAYS fun, but do I want to do THAT much custom fab/tuning?)

My vote goes for the Miata, or the 240sx.

If youre decent with engines, then Id say tackle a rotary...

Ill have more Ideas for you tonight... youve actually gotten me thinkin (glare) and thats never a good thing lol

Sean

 

[Shift_Lost]

How about, an 88 celica alltrac, Awd + turbo, they come in the 2500 range, really good car for a project.

3s-gte is a beast when built, Its what TOP SECRET used in they're first supra

 

[Moonman8]

How about, an 88 celica alltrac, Awd + turbo, they come in the 2500 range, really good car for a project.

3s-gte is a beast when built, Its what TOP SECRET used in they're first supra

I remember that TOP SECRET Supra. ~700whp built for top speed thus a 4-cyl mounted as close to the firewall as possible rather than that hefty 2JZ.

I was kinda looking at Celicas but FWD or AWD isn't really what I want, RWD would be ideal.

 

[Moonman8]

hmmm Miata sounds EXACTLY what youre looking for.

I would love to do an E30 M3 myself..... but you wont find one for like 3k.

Im tearing down my MSP and building that up (I know its not that old, but its fun for me). Im then rebuilding either a 94 or 95 3000GT VR4 (not around 3k, well maybe depending Ill have to go look) for my dad.... Then comes my large project which consists of rebuilding/restoring a BMW 850CSi (If I can ever friggin find one!!) but thats going to be a challenge, or a mid 90s Supra, but I dont know if I want a tuning ***** (yeah 850 whp is ALWAYS fun, but do I want to do THAT much custom fab/tuning?)

My vote goes for the Miata, or the 240sx.

If youre decent with engines, then Id say tackle a rotary...

Ill have more Ideas for you tonight... youve actually gotten me thinkin (glare) and thats never a good thing lol

Sean

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. A BMW 850 would be nice but way too much $$ and hard to find parts much less the car itself like you said. I love Supras and their power potential but built wrong they are just dyno queens. However, there a few guys in Houston that drive their 1000+ whp whale-tail clad monsters daily.

I'm leaning more and more towards a Miata. I took my puppy for a walk and I saw a white 92-93 in almost perfect condition sitting in a driveway (unfortunately not for sale) and....yeah, I want one. Just have to find one.

 

[B1GHAM]

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. A BMW 850 would be nice but way too much $$ and hard to find parts much less the car itself like you said. I love Supras and their power potential but built wrong they are just dyno queens. However, there a few guys in Houston that drive their 1000+ whp whale-tail clad monsters daily.

I'm leaning more and more towards a Miata. I took my puppy for a walk and I saw a white 92-93 in almost perfect condition sitting in a driveway (unfortunately not for sale) and....yeah, I want one. Just have to find one.

LOL!! Realize these are projects I have thought out way ahead of time, not something Im doing tomorrow.. Later when Im more established and comfortable.

Sean

 

[Moonman8]

any more thoughts?

 

[Run for Cover]

from what year to what year miata is the first gen or the gen your looking for?

 

[BradC]

Miata, 510, Toyota 2000GT (if you could find one cheap!!)

 

[Moonman8]

from what year to what year miata is the first gen or the gen your looking for?

I believe the first gens were from 1990-1997 (in terms of body), but some considered the first generation to be split because of the engine change. The 1990-1993's had the 1.6L while the 1994-1997 (and beyond) had the more powerful, slightly more reliable 1.8L.

In terms of preference, I would like any first gen. The 1.8L engine would be preferred but it can be swapped into the earlier models pretty easily but I would rather avoid the swap cost.

 

[MP3Architect]

early miatas would be cool. make it liek a go kart form hell.....i like the old celicas but like you said....not rwd.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

you should try to find an old 323 gtx!!! that would be a fun project car for sure.

i look at this site once a week http://www.sturtevant.com/323GTX/forsale.htm

 

[MP3N.Y.C]

So far I've been looking at these cars:
1990-1997 Mazda Miata (I would prefer 94-97 for the 1.8 engine but I could always do a swap)

I would go for the miata. Scrap the 4 banger and drop in a 5.0 or 5.8 with a t-5. That would be the ultimate track car and a fun car to drive to work during the week. Roll up next to a riced out civic or WRX and blow the doors off it. Thats my suggestion.. I would like to do one of those cars myself one day.

Pete